Germination 101

3hounds · 04-11-2002, 07:42 AM

I am taking this opportunity to describe in detail the process I use for germination. While I am by no means an expert, I have enjoyed nearly 99% successful germination using this method. I will try and explain every step in detail, as it is the little things that matter. While this is not rocket science, I have seen posts lately regarding germination problems, so there are folks having difficulties. I am hoping no one will post any replies until I have completed Step #10, so it can be viewed and read as a whole.

Step #1
Gather together in one place your seeds, some white paper towels, some clean water.... filtered, bottled, or tap, and some sort of container. Pictured is the Tupperware container I use.... a baggie or zip-lock bag works just as well. It does not have to be airtight, but needs to hold moisture in adequately. Some folks recommend adding things to the water such as a drop of bleach, or a drop of Superthrive or another fertilizer. I do not add those things, but if you do, remember that a drop is a drop... not a spoonful. Once you have your supplies gathered, you can begin.

3hounds · 04-11-2002, 07:44 AM

I use about three layers of paper towels. I wet them well- not to the point of dripping, and not wrung out. Wet. Place the seeds on the bottom layer, and lay the top layer over top of the seeds. The entire surface of the paper towels should be wet. No piece of the paper towel should protrude from the container, or hang over the edge...... it will wick the water out. Make sure that both sides of the seed are in contact with wet paper towel layers- you can press down lightly to insure contact, but not hard.

3hounds · 04-11-2002, 07:45 AM

Close the container containing the seeds and put it is a warm dark area. Warm does not mean hot. Normal room temperature is warm enough. If you are in a very cold environment, you can use the top of your computer monitor, or the top of a fluorescent light fixture to provide warmth, but again...... warm does not mean hot. Check your seeds at least twice daily, and remember to fan in lots of fresh air when you check them. Do not poke them, or turn them over, or mess with them at all. Time is doing its work, and it takes as long as it takes. If the paper towels seem to be drying out, spoon some more water in, but try not to bother them too much.

3hounds · 04-11-2002, 07:47 AM

Eventually, when you check your seeds, you will see a small white thing beginning to emerge. This is the young root tip, and it is the entire future of your plant. Do not touch it, or poke it, or let it dry out. Don't let it grow too long, either..... this is the most delicate time in the life of a plant, and if the root tip gets too long and curls, it is much more vulnerable to damage. Just cover it back up and go get your supplies together for planting it. Get everything ready.. soil mixed, pots together, etc.

3hounds · 04-11-2002, 07:48 AM

Your potting mix should be loose and not too lumpy. I use a commercial mix, and add about 40% perlite to lighten it up. I do not add any type of fertilizer at all to the mix- your seed has everything it needs contained inside it. Your choice of pot is optional... I recommend something at least 6 inches deep, and be sure and check for lots of drainage holes. I use disposable cups as they are the right size, sterile, and suit my needs. Fill your pot with your mixed soil, water it well, and set it aside to drain. Do this before you start messing with your seeds. Once the pot has drained 10-15 minutes, take a pen, a screwdriver.... anything small and pointed, and make a slight depression in the soil in the middle of the pot. Your seeds want to be planted only about ¼ inch deep.... no more. Transfer the germinated seed into the hole you made very carefully... this is the moment you are most liable to damage your sprout. Use careful fingers, or a tiny spoon to move it... do not squish or roll it around... just move that baby. It will be beneficial if the root tip lands pointing down, but I find that moving them around too much is more dangerous than letting the tip point sideways. Just be careful... this is not a step to do when you are impaired. Cover the seed with a bit of loose soil, and stop. I usually put a couple of drops of water right on the seed spot, but I do it with a tiny measuring spoon and do not disturb the soil. Never pour water on a planted seed.... this is why we watered and drained the pot first thing- the soil should already be wet enough. Cover the pot with something to keep moisture in... I use baggies. You are trying to keep the dampness in, as you will not be watering an unsprouted planted seed. It is fine the way it is. Set your pot in a warm room with room light or darkness... there is no need for lights at this point. Leave it alone. While you are waiting, there is a lot going on. Cannabis sends out a taproot first... your little root tip is growing and getting settled in before it allows the sprout to break ground. Check your pots a couple of times a day, but do not water them, and do not poke them... leave them alone!

3hounds · 04-11-2002, 07:50 AM

Here it is.... a sprout! This signals successful germination, and is my favorite moment of starting seeds. This little sprout has been hidden away in a seed, just waiting for someone to come along and give it the proper conditions to grow.... and you have successfully done that! Good job! Once is a while a remnant of the seed will be sticking to the sprout..... leave it alone for a day or so. If it persists in hanging on you can carefully try to remove it, but give the plant a chance to take care of it on its own. Sorry for the blurry photo.

3hounds · 04-11-2002, 07:52 AM

The moment you notice your sprout, remove the plastic covering the pot, and get that baby under lights. Fluorescent light work best at this point... they are cool, and need to be put right down close to your sprout.... very close..... almost touching. The closer you keep those lights the first few days, the shorter and bushier your plant will be. This translates into strength and conservation of space. Don't water this sprout, and don't feed it. Just keep the lights down on it and wait.

3hounds · 04-11-2002, 07:54 AM

The next day, your plant will look like this..... the first round leaves will have opened entirely, and are a good healthy green. If a part of seed case is still hanging on, you can try now to gingerly remove it. If it won't come off, just wait another day. If you rip the little leaves off, your plant won't survive. These first round leaves are called cotyledons.. remember that word. Later on you will use the color of the cotyledons to tell you when the plant needs its first weak feeding...... do not feed this plant anything until the cotyledons turn yellow and begin to dry up. It doesn't need water yet, either. Just keep the fluorescent lights down on it and let Mother Nature do her work. This baby plant wants to grow and flower... as long as you stay out of its way and provide a few things, it will grow and do well. Congratulations! This is a successfully germinated plant!

3hounds · 04-11-2002, 07:56 AM

If you screw up getting the fluorescent lights down low enough, you may notice that the stem on your plant is growing long and thin- we call this stretching, and it is totally the result of not enough light. The plants want the light- they want it so bad that they will fall over trying to reach it. If this happens, don't panic.... you can fix it by making a support. Pictured is a type of support I make from old wire. The reason I like this is you can insert it around the stem without too much touching. If you have to handle the plant, move it by the leaves, not the stem. It can grow more leaves if you accidently rip one, but there is only one stem, and it is vital. Now is not the time to be pinching, bending, or damaging it in any way. Just get a support on, lights down low, and it will recover. We still haven't watered this plant yet..... it will begin to droop a bit when it needs water. Check your plant twice or more a day, and try to resist watering... a big dump of water will dislodge it from the soil. If you feel you must add water, spritz the soil lightly with water from a little spray bottle, and not too much. Cannabis prefers to be watered completely and then allowed to totally dry out. There aren't that many roots in there at this point, so they will be using water slowly.... do not overwater. More plants are lost to overwatering than any other cause.

3hounds · 04-11-2002, 08:01 AM

This is your plant at two weeks. At this point, I consider it a plant in its vegetative state, and germination completed.
Perhaps I have overexplained the process, but sometimes someone needs a little more explanation than you might. Again.. your plant wants to grow and do well... it is usually our own interference that causes it problems.
Just remember, these are only my suggestions and my opinions. Other methods are equally valid and successful, and as always- your mileage may vary.
Good luck!

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

New To Site?	Need Help?
Register to Participate View Forum Leaders Privacy Statement Contact Us	Frequently Asked Questions Did you forget your password? Mark Forums Read

Hot Products: